Nevada Department of Veterans Services Earns Fifth National ‘Pillar of Excellence’ Award

(Reno, Nevada) – The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) has been awarded its fifth Abraham Lincoln Pillar of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its suicide prevention initiative, “Operation Mission Ready (OMR).”

The OMR program destigmatizes mental health treatment with a unique and different approach. First responders augment mental health professionals in present command-sponsored suicide prevention information. While mental health professionals are compassionate and knowledgeable, the NDVS team noticed these skilled professionals were not perceived by the intended audience as having a similar culture, or “shared warrior” experience. The first responders were perceived as being more “credible” and “relatable.” This perception made a big difference in how the information was received.

OMR was launched in March 2019. Within the first six months of using first responders to present suicide prevention information to members of the Nevada National Guard, the number of those seeking mental health assistance increased by 38%.

Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Donald Remy presented the award to NDVS and veterans affairs departments in three other states at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) Conference held in Reno, Nevada September 13– 16, 2021. The award recognizes excellence and innovation by honoring outstanding state programs that support veterans within their states.

NASDVA represents veterans’ affairs departments or agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“It is quite an honor to receive national recognition amongst your peers,” said Kat Miller, NDVS Director. “This award speaks to the level of excellence demonstrated every single day by members of the NDVS team. I am grateful for their creativity, passion and continued dedication in serving Nevada’s veterans and families.”